Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen left out of Napoli Squad for Supercoppa Italiana

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, in action for the club. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen left out of Napoli Squad for Supercoppa Italiana

Ayoola Kelechi 20:17 - 14.01.2024

The Partenopei will have to defend their Supercoppa Italiana title without their Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has unveiled his 24-man squad for the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana campaign set to take place in Saudi Arabia, and notably absent from the lineup is Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

Napoli set to defend Supercoppa Italiana title

The defending champions are gearing up to face Fiorentina at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium on Thursday next week, with the match scheduled to kick off at 19:00 UK time. If Napoli triumphs over Fiorentina, they will advance to the final on January 22, where they will meet the winner of the clash between Inter and Lazio.

Napoli's performance this season has been marked by inconsistency, prompting the mid-season managerial change that saw Rudi Garcia replaced by Walter Mazzarri in November. Despite the coaching switch, Napoli has struggled to find their form, winning only one of their last four league games and exiting the Coppa Italia after a loss to Frosinone in the Round of 16.

Napoli leave Osimhen out of Supercoppa Italiana squad

In preparation for the Supercoppa Italiana campaign, Napoli have opted to include their entire squad, with injured players Mathias Olivera, Alex Meret, and Jens Cajuste also making the trip to Riyadh.

Napoli forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia || Eurosports
Napoli forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia || Eurosports

However, three notable omissions from the lineup are Natan, Victor Osimhen, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, with both Osimhen and Anguissa missing out due to their participation in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

VIctor Osimhen playing for Nigeria | Imago
VIctor Osimhen playing for Nigeria | Imago

The absence of Victor Osimhen, who has been a key figure in Napoli's attacking lineup, raises questions about how the team will approach the upcoming challenges in Saudi Arabia without the Nigerian striker's goal-scoring prowess.

Napoli to tackle Supercoppa without Osimhen

As Napoli aims to defend their Supercoppa Italiana title, Mazzarri will rely on the collective strength of the squad, hoping that the selected players can deliver a performance that reflects the club's ambitions. The inclusion of some injured players in the squad suggests a determination to utilize all available resources in the pursuit of success.

Napoli team celebrating || Credit: Imago
Napoli team celebrating || Credit: Imago

Napoli fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the clash against Fiorentina and, if successful, the potential final against either Inter or Lazio.

The absence of Victor Osimhen, even if temporary, adds an extra layer of intrigue to Napoli's Supercoppa Italiana campaign, leaving supporters curious about how the team will fare in this crucial competition.

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